GUIDELINES DIVIDE PANEL ON DIGITAL TV
Issue: Digital Television
In a report scheduled to be delivered to Vice President Gore on December 18, a presidential commission does not advocate aggressive regulation of the broadcasting industry. As broadcasters begin the transition from today's analog system to new digital technology, the recommendations of the commission is likely to influence the content of television programming in the future. The recommendations include: 1) urging broadcasters to provide 5 minutes of candidate-centered coverage in the 30 days before a general election, 2) a voluntary code of conduct drawn up by the broadcast industry, 3) reserving some digital channels for educational programming, and 4) fees broadcasters would pay for use of spectrum.
[SOURCE: Chicago Tribune (Sec3, p.1), AUTHOR: Tim Jones]

12/18/98